What is Eczema? What causes it and is it contagious?
09/15/2005
According to findings, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology more than half (54.3 percent) of the U.S. population is sensitive to one or more common allergens, placing them at increased risk for the development of asthma, hay fever, and eczema. Eczema is a particularly unpleasant form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin experienced by more than 16 million Americans. The symptoms of eczema include redness, lumps, blisters, dryness, and thickening of the skin where scratching has occurred.
Eczema can affect all age groups and the severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, eczema is not contagious.
Mothers suffer almost as much as their babies when observing their discomfort and sometimes feel quite desperate looking for information that would ease their suffering. The National Eczema Society does an excellent job of making helpful information available to the public.
One of the most common symptoms of atopic eczema is its itchiness (or pruritis), which can be almost unbearable. Other symptoms include overall dryness of the skin, redness and inflammation. Constant scratching can also cause the skin to split, leaving it prone to infection. In infected eczema the skin may crack and weep ('wet' eczema). The most important thing to do to ease the maddening symptoms of dry itchy skin is to maintain skin hydration.
"Eczema damages the outer layers of skin resulting in the loss of natural moisture and oils. As a result, evaporation takes place at a much greater rate," said Dr, Wayne Webber, Director of Research and Development for Gloves In A Bottle Inc. that produces a shielding lotion developed specifically to protect the skin and prevent skin damage by bonding with the skin itself. "This prevents the dehydration and gives the skin a chance to rejuvenate itself," he added.
References:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_26386.html
http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/medicine-medication-prescription-drugs-eczema.html
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/e/eczema/stats-country.htm